Christmas is that time of the year when the busiest of bees get to take a breather. It’s the time to catch up with family, indulge in a feast and bask in the cheer that comes with the festive season. Actors and bureaucrats are no exception. They reveal what they are up to this Christmas.
A real fest for Chai
This is our first Christmas. My wife and I are really looking forward to it. I am sure it’s going to be very novel for me, because I have never really celebrated Christmas in the true sense before. With Sam being a Christian, we do have something special in store. She loves Christmas and I think it’s going to make the celebrations a lot of fun. She enjoys the entire process from decorating the tree to the Christmas Day feast. We haven’t really discussed what we will be doing on the day in particular, but I already know that it’s going to be a perfect Christmas debut for us as a married couple.
– Naga Chaitanya, Actor
A Romantic Christmas
As it is our first Christmas after marriage, it’s even more special. We have brought in the tree and have decked it up with the cutest, customised and most romantic ornaments. The tree, which has a golden star on top, is decked up with favourite ornaments and even with a framed picture of us from the wedding day. There is also a reindeer, a little Santa Claus and a snow globe!
– Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Actress
Sri Joel Davis
A day with family and close friends
My favourite thing about Christmas is getting to see my entire family together in our native place, Kanyakumari. I will be celebrating this Christmas with my parents and my one-year-old twins. Friends and family from all over the globe come together to celebrate the festival. We do not skip the early morning Christmas Service or the grand family feast. My mother and wife get together to prepare some great food.”
– Sri Joel Davis, IPS, DCP, Central Zone​
Christina Z.Chongthu
Mizo-style celebrations
Every year, we invite close friends and family home on Christmas Eve for dinner with roast chicken or turkey, along with Christmas gifts and candy for the children. It’s an opportunity for us to meet and celebrate over home-cooked food. On Christmas morning, we attend the service at St. George’s Church in Abids, and in the evening, we celebrate with the Mizo community in Hyderabad. Those staying back in Hyderabad during Christmas join in with the Christmas sermon and hymnal songs in the Mizo language. The special choir and traditional Mizo feast that follows, allows us to bond and connect amid festivities.
– Christina Z.Chongthu, IAS, Managing Director, Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation​
Priyankaa Varghese
‘I love Plum cakes’
On Christmas Eve, I attend midnight prayers and celebrate the day with my parents almost every year. My mother bakes a Christmas cake, which I don’t want to miss mostly. This is also the time when I get to meet my sisters and my kids get to meet everyone in the family. I love to eat the plum cakes that are generally available during Christmas.
– Priyankaa Varghese, IFS, OSD in CMO Incharge, Harithaharam, Telangana
Regina Cassandra
‘Will miss my family’
I make it a point to stay with my mother during Christmas. I attend the midnight mass and savour the plum cakes and wine. Unfortunately, this year I am shooting. But, I’ll try to catch up with all the action after I am back. As the celebrations continue into the next day, hopefully I will be part of my family get-together.
– Regina Cassandra, actress​
Prince
Look Who’s Playing on Christmas
This year it will be a very different Christmas for me. Every year I usually celebrate it with my family, but this year I will celebrate Christmas Day with my second family, the Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) team. Even on Christmas Day, we will be playing two matches. So my gift to my family and friends will be the winner’s cup!
– Prince, actor
Anu Emmanuel
All work, no X’mas
Christmas has become extremely different for me now that my family is not with me. I stay alone. I remember that last Christmas I was shooting too, so it’s all work. Christmas in US was very grand! Going to church on Christmas Eve, exchanging gifts and obviously all that food! It’s just a beautiful time with family and friends and being thankful for what we have... it’s my favourite holiday.
– Anu Emmanuel, actress
Abishek George
‘Excited to celebrate with my family’
I always look forward to Christmas because it’s one festivals where all the family members come together and it’s celebration for all of us. I’ve a big family and today we will be getting together at my grandmother’s place. Usually, after attending the midnight mass, we will have the customary home-made wine. After that, the person, who dresses up as Santa, will distribute all the gifts! My mom makes fabulous plum cakes and the whole house smell of cookies, cakes! We will also have a nice Syrian Christian lunch.
– Abishek George, Actor
Sam CS
Christmas at hometown after a long time!
It’s been almost five to six years since I celeberated Christmas with my family at my hometown, Madurai. But this year, I’m finally at my home and I am sure I’ll have a great time. Usually, during Christmas, we have a party all night long at my place with friends and relatives and I’ve to tell you, we only sleep post lunch on December 26! This year will be extra-special for me because I’ve been nominated for many awards and have given good hits in the recent past.
– Sam CS, Music Composer
